[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by jimhoward

I like McGrady's and hope that the Sawgrass Tavern will be as good.

McGrady's Scottish theme was not unique, but unusual. There are many Irish pubs, but so many Scottish pubs and that led to a few menu twists.

The limited menu (which isn't all that limited given the size of the place), I viewed as a plus. I am predisposed to dislike restaurants with giant menus because I envision microwaved frozen entrees. It might be the case anyway but psychologically I feel better about smaller menus.

I found the prices to be very reasonable. Burger $20, Ribeye $45, pint of Guinness $7. I'm good.

I get the idea that the Villages does not want to be in the restaurant business and are very happy to sell them to FMK. Is Boosters now the only one they still own?

Boosters, and I think still Tierra Del Sol. They are planning a Comfort food/Bourbon restaurant in Eastport - but still in development, so we’ll see.

[kingofbeer]

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI

My wife, her sister and brother and I ate there a couple months after they opened. Totally disappointed, never went back.

Fish and Chips where good. Burger was ok. The menu is limited. The restaurant was never busy.

[FloridaGuy66]

The main venue at Sawgrass has a cool look and feel. It feels like a missed opportunity that they didn't make the restaurant there to have a similar theme instead of having the inside look like a dingy pub.

[RUCdaze]

FMK taking over McGrady's is the best news I've heard all week. That place can't get any worse.

[It's Hot There]

Google Reviews:

McGrady's 4.1

Harvest 4.5

Blue Fin 4.5

Chop House 4.5

[fdpaq0580]

😴😴😴

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by It's Hot There

Google Reviews:

McGrady's 4.1

Harvest 4.5

Blue Fin 4.5

Chop House 4.5

Google reviews are notorious for being fake. Just Google "Fake Google reviews". You can buy as many fake Google reviews you need to look good.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Can anyone name me a Brazilian Steak House that is any good? I've been to maybe four and haven't found a good manicotti or chicken curry or baba ghanoush or rockfish yet. They need to revamp their menu to serve something I like.

A prediction: Six months from now there will be another thread complaining that the Sawgrass Tavern is like all the other restaurants in the Villages and what we need is more variety.

Ipanema in Ocala

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by It's Hot There

Google Reviews:

McGrady's 4.1

Harvest 4.5

Blue Fin 4.5

Chop House 4.5

Personally, I have found Google reviews to be too generous and not as discerning with their ratings - as you will often see fast food joints with high ratings. Same with Trip Advisor.

Though not perfect, I have found Yelp to be more reliable, especially when traveling to unfamiliar cities and looking for a good restaurant.

Those same four restaurants on Yelp:


McGrady’s: 3.4

Harvest: 4.1

Blue Fin: 4.0

Chop House: 3.9

[It's Hot There]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Personally, I have found Google reviews to be too generous and not as discerning with their ratings - as you will often see fast food joints with high ratings. Same with Trip Advisor.

Though not perfect, I have found Yelp to be more reliable, especially when traveling to unfamiliar cities and looking for a good restaurant.

Those same four restaurants on Yelp:


McGrady’s: 3.4

Harvest: 4.1

Blue Fin: 4.0

Chop House: 3.9

Agree.....................Yelp is better.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Though not perfect, I have found Yelp to be more reliable, especially when traveling to unfamiliar cities and looking for a good restaurant.

Yelp is often fake news. They had a reputation for harassing business owners to become paid account holders. Supposedly, those that did pay got suppression of bad reviews and elevation of good ones. Vice versa for businesses that refused to pay up. If you Google this topic, you will see lots of accusations, which (disclaimer) they of course denied.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

Yelp is often fake news. They had a reputation for harassing business owners to become paid account holders. Supposedly, those that did pay got suppression of bad reviews and elevation of good ones. Vice versa for businesses that refused to pay up. If you Google this topic, you will see lots of accusations, which (disclaimer) they of course denied.

That’s interesting - all I know, is that I have been pleased and have mostly agreed with their restaurant ratings for well over a decade - it has served me well and greatly helped me seek out hidden gems of good local and authentic ethnic places in cities when I travel.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by wsachs

Bella Vita and Chop House for sure.

Add Blue Fin & Costa del Mar to the list...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

Fish and Chips where good. Burger was ok. The menu is limited. The restaurant was never busy.

The Fish & Chips in the "Food Court" were light years better... One of the few reasons (besides golf) that we ever venture down to Sawgrass...

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Ipanema in Ocala

We enjoy Ipanema Brazilian Steakhouse too. Ocala is our go to when we want to dine out. It has much more variety than the bubble.